Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former top U.S. diplomat in the Mideast and a recent adviser to Barack Obama, says divisions in the Israeli electorate will paralyze the political process and could lead to an extended "hiatus" in peace-making.

Leslie H. Gelb writes, "America's new envoy to the Middle East just returned from his first listening tour, where he undeniably got an earful. But the next big step in U.S. leadership will have to be much more than just parading Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table."

Aaron David Miller, a former top U.S. Mideast negotiator, says that naming George J. Mitchell as the new special envoy for Arab-Israeli issue shows the Obama administration is substituting "process for substance."

Libya's autocratic leader Muammar Qaddafi presents his plan for Middle East peace in a rare op-ed contribution to the International Herald Tribune.

Middle East expert Richard W. Murphy says the United States runs the risk of delaying the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by blackballing Hamas. Though opening relations with the group may be necessary, he says he does not expect it to come quickly.

Richard N. Haass writes, "Israel needs a successful Palestinian state almost as much as the Palestinians do if it is to remain democratic, Jewish, prosperous and secure."

Martin S. Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, says incoming President Barack Obama cannot solve the problems in the Gaza Strip unless he takes a broad approach that includes diplomacy with Iran and Syria.

Karim Sadjadpour, a leading scholar on Iran, says even though Iran is a major funder for Hamas, it does not seem to have direct control over the Palestinian group.

Preventing future violence between Israel and the Palestinians will require a regional strategy, active U.S. diplomacy, and increased cooperation from Arab governments. But Iran, too, must ultimately be part of any solution.

Mohammad Yaghi, a veteran Palestinian political expert, says the current fighting in the Gaza Strip wasn't necessary and proposes that the incoming Obama administration consider calling together Arab states and Israel to overcome Hamas' refusal to negotiate with Israel.

Steven A. Cook writes in U.S. News & World Report that Israel's exercise of military power in the Gaza Strip, employed legitimately or not, is unlikely to achieve its desired goals.

After a long delay, the United States adds its voice to those calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.  In the longer term, analysts hope prospects for restarting peace talks will have improved once the guns fall silent.

If it hopes to bring peace to the Middle East, the Obama administration must put Palestinian politics and goals first.

Steven A. Cook, CFR's leading Middle East expert, says the latest attacks by Israel against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip were "not surprising" given the renewed rocket attacks on southern Israel from the Gaza, and the political and military environments in Israel.

From the January/February 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs: to make Israel safe, give Palestinians their due.

Scott Lasensky, a Middle East expert, says the new U.S. administration should listen carefully to voices from the Middle East and that President Barack Obama's first speeches will be scrutinized for signals on his approach.

Martin S. Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, discusses the new leader of the country's ruling Kadima party, Tzipi Livni.

Israel should pull back settlements and give up its '67 gains in order to secure its '48 victory.

From the September/October 2008 issue of Foreign Affairs: The war of 1948 created both a Jewish state and a Palestinian problem.